Man facing murder charge in stabbing of seven-year-old girl in Edmonton home

EDMONTON — Police in Edmonton have charged a man in the killing of a seven-year-old girl.

David Michael Moss, who is 34, faces a charge of second-degree murder in the death of Bella Rose Desrosiers.

Police say Moss had been visiting the girl’s mother on Monday night at her home in the Mill Woods neighbourhood.

They allege the man stabbed the girl in front of her mother and the woman tried to intervene.

She performed life-saving measures on the child until paramedics arrived.

The girl could not be saved and died at the scene.

Melissa Desrosiers said in an online message that she was planning to host a vigil to honour her daughter at the family’s home Wednesday night.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 20, 2020

Brandt to head human trafficking committee

EDMONTON — Country music star Paul Brandt will lead a committee on human trafficking in Alberta.

The Calgary-born musician is one of seven people appointed to the committee set up by the provincial government.

It is to provide advice on how to best put into action a plan to fight human trafficking.

Brandt, a former registered nurse, won a humanitarian award at last September’s Canadian Country Music Awards for his work on the issue.

He says it’s a privilege and responsibility to serve as the chairman.

The committee is to meet for the first time on Thursday and Friday.

Premier Jason Kenney says the task force brings together knowledgeable and dedicated people to provide advice on how to protect and empower some of Alberta’s most vulnerable.

“Alberta should be a place where people can live safely, free from exploitation and coercion,” he said in a news release Tuesday. “Sadly, human trafficking exists in our province, and it is our duty to bring these human rights violations to light and do more to protect those at risk.”